Biographical Sketches of Members of Congress, Members of the Legislature, West Virigina, 1917 This file was submitted by Valerie Crook, E-mail address: <vfcrook@trellis.net> This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. All other rights reserved. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the WVGenWeb Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://www.usgwarchives.net/wv/wvfiles.htm Biographical Sketches of Members of Congress, Members of the Legislature, West Virigina, 1917 Source: West Virginia Legislative Hand Book and Manual and Official Register, 1917, Compiled and Edited by John T. Harris, Clerk of the Senate, The Tribune Printing Co., Charleston, West Va. pgs. 719 - 752 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES pg. 719 LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. United States Senators. NATHAN GOFF (Republican), of Clarksburg, was born at Clarksburg, Va. (now W. Va.), February 9, 1843; was educated at the Northwestern Virginia Academy, Georgetown College, and the University of the City of New York; was admitted to the bar in 1865; in 1867 was elected a member of the West Vir- ginia Legislature; in 1868 was appointed United States attorney for the dis- trict of West Virginia, to which position he was reappointed in 1872, 1876, and 1880; resigned the district attornyship in January, 1881, when he was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Hayes; in March, 1881, President Garfield appointed him district attorney for West Virginia, which position he again re- signed in July, 1882; enlisted in the Union Army in June, 1861, in the Third Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry; served as lieutenant and adjutant of Company G, and as major of the Fourth Virginia Volunteer Cavalry; was Re- publican candidate for Congress in 1870 and 1874 in the first West Virginia dis- trict; was candidate of the Republican Party for governor of West Virginia in 1876, and was defeated by Hon. H. M. Mathews; was elected to the Forty- eighth, Forty-ninth, and Fiftieth Congresses; in 1888 was elected governor on face of the returns, but the legislature, which was Democratic, seated his op- ponent; was appointed United States circuit judge in 1892 for the fourth judicial circuit, including the States of West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, North Caro- lina, and South Carolina, and was married in 1867 to Miss Laura E. Despard, of Clarksburg, and has two sons; was elected United States Senator by the legis- lature February 21, 1913. His term of service will expire March 3, 1919. Com- mittee assignments Sixty-fifth Congress: Banking and Currency, Claims, Conservation of National Resources, Expenditures in the Department of Labor, Immigration, Interoceanic Canals, Pensions, Philippines, Railroads, and Uni- versity of the United States. HOWARD SUTHERLAND (Republican), of Elkins, was born September. 8, 1865, near Kirkwood, St. Louis County, Mo.; attended the public schools of St. Louis County and city; was graduated with A. B. degree from Westminster College, Fulton, Mo., class of 1889; edited a Republican newspaper at Fulton immediately after graduation; went to Washington in March, 1890, as clerk, at $1,000, in Census Office; being promoted through intervening grades, became chief of population division in February, 1891; also studied law at Columbian University; resigned, and in March, 1893, moved to West Virginia; is married, and is in the timber and coal lands business. He is a member of a number of fraternal and benevolent societies; was State senator of West Virginia 1908- 1912; was chairman of West Virginia good roads commission, which framed the first laws for permanent improvement of West Virginia roads; vice president West Virginia Board of Trade; director Davis Trust Co.; president board of trustees Davis and Elkins Presbyterian College; was elected to the Sixty-third Congress, and re-elected to the Sixty-fourth Congress; was elected to the United States Senate November 7, 1916, receiving 144,243 votes, to 138,585 for W. E. Chilton, Democrat, and 4,881 for G. A. Gneiser, Socialist, for six-year term ending March 3, 1923. Committee assignments Sixty-fifth Congress: Additional Accommodations for the Library of Congress, Census, Geological Survey, In- dustrial Expositions, Investigate Trespassers upon Indian Lands, Military Affairs, Mines and Mining, Public Buildings and Grounds. pg. 720 Representatives. FIRST DISTRICT.—COUNTIES: Brooke, Hancock, Marion, Marshall, Ohio, Taylor, and Wetzel (7 counties.) Population (1910), 194,726. M. M. NEELY (Democrat), of Fairnont, was bom on November 9, 1874, at Grove, Doddridge County, W. Va., parents, Alfred Neely and Mary (Morris) Neely; served in the West Virginia Volunteer Infantry through the Spanish- American War; was graduated from the academic and law departments of West Virginia University; was admitted to the Marion County bar in 1902, and since that time has been continuously engaged in the practice of the law at Fainnont; was married October 21, 1903, to Miss Alberta Claire Ramage, of Fairmont; they have two sons, Alfred R. Neely and John Champ Neely, and one daughter, Corinne Neely; was mayor of Fairmont 1908-1910; clerk of the House of Dele- gates of West Virginia 1911-1913; was elected to the Sixty-third Congress October 14, 1913, to fill the unexpired term of Hon. John W. Davis, who was appointed Solicitor General of the United States, and was re-elected to the Sixty-fourth and Sixty-fifth Congress. Assigned to the Judiciary Committee in the latter body. SECOND DISTRICT.—COUNTIES: Barbour, Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson Mineral, Monongalia, Morgan, Pendleton, Preston, Randolph, and Tucker (13 counties.) Population (1910), 211,690. GEORGE M. BOWERS (Republican), of Martinsburg, W. Va., was born September 13, 1863, at Gerrardstown, W. Va., in the heart of the, Shenandoah Valley. Was a member of the West Virginia Legislature at the age of 28; a candidate for auditor of the State in 1888; census superintendent in 1890; treas- urer World's Fair managers in ,1893; appointed by President McKinley Com- missioner of Fisheries in February, 1898, and reappointed by President Roose- velt and President Taft; resigned April 16, 1913. Elected at a special election held in the second congressional district of West Virginia on May 9, 1916, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. William G. Brown. Was nominated on June 6, 1916, by a majority of nearly 10,000 votes, and re-elected November, 7 1916, to the Sixty-fifth Congress. Assigned to the Merchant Marine and Fish- eries Committee in the latter body. THIRD DISTRICT.—COUNTIES: Braxton, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Nicholas, Ritchie, Upshur, and Webster (11 counties). Population (1910), 197,110. STUART F. REED (Republican), of Clarksburg, was born and reared on a farm in Barbour County, W.Va. He obtained money to attend college by saving his earnings as a farm hand and country-school teacher. A brief summary of Mr. Reed's career appearing in the last edition of "Who's Who in America" shows that he was editor Clarksburg Telegram eight years; elected president West Virginia Editorial Association three terms; elected State senator, serving four years; was chairman senate committee on education; regent West Virginia University; originator of School of Commerce and founder of the Athenaeum (college journal) of the university; member West Virginia Republican State committee; vice president National League of Republican Clubs; member national literary bureau of Republican national executive committee; member World's Literary Congress (Chicago); vice president National Republican Editorial Association (Washington, D. C., 1904); declined appointment consul general, Buenos Aires, 1905; president board trustees Broaddus Classical and Scientific Institute 1901-1908; eminent commander Knights Templar 1908; member International Tax Conference, Louisville, Ky., 1909; president State Y. M. 0. A. convention 1910; elected secretary of state of West Virginia two consecutive terms, 1909-1917; vice president West Virginia Semi-Centennial Commission 1913; elected president Association of American Secretaries of State, Cincinnati, 1915; received diploma (Fairmont State Normal) and degrees LL. B. (West Virginia University), and Ph. D. (Salem College); married Miss Bonnie Belle Smith, of Clarksburg; is a Shriner, Elk, and Modern Woodman of America; Baptist; was elected to the Sixty-fifth Congress by a majority of 680, receiving 23,442 votes, to 22,762 for F. N. Alderson, Democrat. pg. 721 FOURTH DISTRICT.—COUNTIES: Cabell, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Putnam, Roane, Tyler, Wirt, and Wood (9 counties). Population (1910), 202,123. HARRY C. WOODYARD (Republican), of Spencer, W. Va.; bom November 13, 1867, at Spencer, W. Va., served four years as State senator from the fourth senatorial district of West Virginia; was elected as Representative in Congress from the fourth congressional district in 1902, and served in the Fifty-eighth Fifty-ninth, Sixtieth, and Sixty-first Congresses; was elected November 7, 1916, to fill the unexpired term of Judge Hunter H. Moss, jr., in the Sixty-fourth Congress, and also as a member of the Sixty-fifth Congress. FIFTH DISTRICT.—COUNTIES: Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming (9 counties). Population (1910), 206,573. EDWARD COOPER (Republican), of Bramwell, W. Vs., was bom at Trever- ton, Pa., February 26, 1873, and moved to West Virginia in 1875, in which State he has since lived; was educated at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va., taking the degree of B. L. in 1894; engaged in the practice of law for three years, and at the death of his father abandoned the law and engaged actively in the development of coal property in the State of West Virginia; has occupied every position in coal mine; was married in 1895 to Miss Frances Douglass Smith, of Lexington, Va., and has one son, Edward, Jr., and daughter, Frances Douglass; was elected to the Sixty-fourth Congress, and re-elected to the Sixty- fifth Congress, receiving 25,627 votes, to 23,857 cast for his opponent on the Democratic ticket, G. R. C. Wiles, of WiUiamson, W. Va. The State of West Virginia was redistricted by the legislature of 1915, the new fifth district having now 9 counties, as against 12 in the old fifth district. SIXTH DISTRICT.—COUNTIES: Boone, Fayette, Greenbrier, Eanawha, Pocahontas, and Raleigh (6 counties). Population (1910), 208,897. ADAM BROWN LITTLEPAGE (Democrat), of Charleston, was born April 14, 1859, near Charleston, Kanawha County, W. Va. Was married on April 8, 1884, to Miss Eva Collett, of Newport, Ind. He is a lawyer by profession; was elected to the State Senate of West Virginia in 1906, serving four years. In 1910 he was elected to the Sixty-second Congress, defeating the Hon. Joseph Holt Gaines, Republican; was elected to the Sixty-fourth Congress, defeating Hon. S. B. Avis, Republican, and re-elected to the Sixty-fifth Congress, defeating Dr. M. V. Godbey. Assigned to Naval Affairs Committee in the latter body. Members of the State Senate. GOODYKOONTZ, WELLS, President of the Senate. (Republican.) Address: Williamson, West Va. Was born in Pulaski, Virginia,. June 3, 1872; educated at Oxford Academy, Floyd, Virginia, and at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia; is a member of the well known law firm of Goodykoontz & Scherr; received his professional education at Washington and Lee; was a member of the House of Delegates of West Virginia in 1911; elected to the Senate from the Sixth District in 1914; in 1915 was chairman of the com- mittee on Finance and a member of nearly all the other important committees; was re-elected to the Senate in 1916, and at the organization in 1917 was chosen President of that body and filled the position with dignity, fairness and marked ability. Mr. Goodykoontz is President of the National Bank of Commerce, of Williamson, is interested in coal production, and has done much to direct the attention of capitalists to the great natural wealth of the county of Mingo. pg. 722 ARNOLD, GOHEN CLARKE. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Buckhannon. Born in Buckhannon, Upshur county, January 5, 1885; educated in the common schools, at West Virginia Conference Seminary and West Virginia Uni- versity, receiving the degree of A. B.; is a practicing attor- ney; graduated from West Virginia University law school with the degree of LL. B.; elected to the Senate from the Thirteenth District in 1916; is a hold-over senator; in 1917 had committee assignments as follows: Joint Com- mittee on the part of the Senate on Enrolled Bills (Chair- man); Judiciary, Claims and Grievances, Forestry and Conservation, Counties and Municipal Corporations, Pro- hibition and Temperance, Labor,lRoads and Navigation. BECKWITH, FRANK. (Democrat.) Address: Charles Town. Born in Middleway, Jefferson county, July 26, 1848; educated in the country schools and in New York; a lawyer by profession, receiving his legal training in Charles Town; member of House of Delegates in 1881 and 1887; appointed Judge Thirteenth Circuit by Governor Wilson to fill the unexpired term of Charles James Faulkner; elected to the State Senate from the Fif- teenth District in 1914; in 1917 served on the following Senate standing committees: Judiciary, Education, Banks and Corporations, Penitentiary, Federal Relations, Insur- ance, Labor, To Examine the Clerk's Office, Prohibition and Temperance. BILLINGS, SAMUEL OLEN. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Parsons, West Va. Born at Camptown, Pa; edu- cated in the schools of Bradford county and at the Ohio Business University; came to West Virginia and located in Tucker county; served one term as county surveyor and two terms as county clerk; elected to the State Senate from the Fourteenth District in 1914; in 1917 served on standing committees as follows: Claims and Grievances (Chairman); Public Printing (Chairman); Roads and Navigation, Public Buildings and Humane Institutions, Railroads, Militia, Federal Relations, Mines and Mining, Medicine and Sanita tion, Labor, Forestry and Conservation, BURGESS, WALTER F. (Republican.) Address: Reader, West Va. Born at Fanlight, Wetzel county, April 29, 1877; reared on a farm near Reader; educated in the public schools; is an oil driller and contractor, and has been closely connected with the oil developmend [sic]in Wetzel county; was elected to the Senate from the Second Dis- trict in 1916; is a hold-over Senator; in 1917 was Chair- man of the committee on Roads and Navigation, and a member of the committees on Privileges and Elections, Education, Banks and Corporations, Public Buildings and Humane Institutions, Claims and Grievances, Pro- hibition and Temperance. pg. 723 CARTER, WILLIAM H. (Republican.) Address Mid- dlebourne, West Va. Born January 29,1879, at Centerville, Upshur county; educated in the public schools and at West Virginia Conference Seminary, Buckhannon; a lawyer by profession, receiving his legal education at the state University; served one term as clerk of the county court of Tyler county; elected to the State Senate in 1914, from the Second District; in 1917 his committee assign- ments were as follows Penitentiary (Chairman); Labor (Chairman); Judiciary, Education, Counties and Munici- pal Corporations, Railroads, Forfeited and Unappro- priated Lands, Passed and Enrolled Bills. COALTER, CARL C. (Republican.) Address: Hin- ton West Va. Elected to the State Senate in 1912 as one of the representatives from the Seventh District; re-elected in 1916; is a hold-over Senator. Born in Monroe county, West Va. September 25, 1879; received his education in the public schools; has been engaged in the milling business at Hinton for nineteen years; is General Manager and Treas- urer of the Hinton Milling Company; has never held any public office except that of senator; in 1917 he was assigned to and served on the following standing committees of the Sen- ate: Railroads (Ch'n); Privileges and Elections, Counties and Municipal Corporations, Insurance, Mines and Mining, Prohibition and Temperance, Forestry and Conservation. COBUN, SANFORD LEE. (Republican.) Address: Masontown, West Va. Born September 11, 1860, in Masontown, Preston county; educated in the free and county select schools; occupation, merchant; President of the Bank of Masontown; has served as Councilman and Mayor of his native town; elected to the House of Dele- gates in 1910; re-elected in 1912; elected to the Senate from the Fourteenth District in 1916; is a hold-over Sena- tor; in 1917 served on standing committees as follows: Banks and Corporations (Chairman); Finance, Public Buildings and Humane Institutions, Federal Relations, Im- migration and Agriculture, Mines and Mining, Prohibition and Temperance, Forestry and Conservation. DODSON, RAYMOND. (Republican.) Address: Spence, West Va. One of the members of the Senate from the Fourth District, having been elected in 1916; is a hold- over Senator; received his education in the public schools and at West Virginia University, where he took law course; is a practicing attorney at Spencer; was assigned to and served on the following Senate standing committees in the sessions of 1917: Public Buildings and Humane Insistu- tions (Chairman); Militia (Chairman); Banks and Cor- porations, Federal Relations, Immigration and Agriculture, Labor, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Virginia Debt. pg. 724 DUTY, MICHAEL KERN. (Republican.) Address: Pennsboro, West Va. Born in a cabin on Hickory Run, Tyier county, West Virginia; educated in the common schools, the State Normal School at Fairmont, and the Uni- versity of Arkansas; studied law at the latter institution and from it holds the degree of LL. B.; has served as Mayor of Pennsboro, County Superintendent of Schools and mem- ber of the House of Delegates; elected to the Senate from the Third District in 1916; is a hold-over Senator; com- mittee assignments in 1917: Education (Chairman); Judiciary, Roads and Navigation, Federal Relations, Labor, Claims and Grievances, Rules, Forestry and Con- servation, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands. FOX, FRED LEE. (Democrat.) Address: Sutton, West Va. Was born in Braxton county, West Virginia, October 24, 1876; received his education in the common schools of Braxton county and at the West Virginia Uni- versity; by profession is an attorney at law, holding the degree of L. L. B. from the University; was elected to the State Senate in 1912 from the Tenth District; re-elected in 1916; is a hold-over Senator; in the sessions of 1915 and 1917 he was active and prominent as Democratic floor leader; committee assignments in 1917: Judiciary, Coun- ties and Municipal Corporations, Militia, Insurance, Claims and Grievances, Public Printing, Rules and the Virginia Debt. FRAZIER, JULIUS EDGAR. (Democrat.) Address: Buffalo, West Va. Was born December 25, 1865, in the county of Putnam; received his education in the schools- of Point Pleasant; is a fanner and traveling salesman by occupation; served a term as Sheriff of Putnam county; was elected to the State Senate in November, 1916; is a hold-over Senator; his committee assignments in the sessions of 1917 were as follows: Privileges and Elections, Counties and Municipal Corporations, Public Build- ings and Humane Institutions, Railroads, Immigration. and Agriculture, Medicine and Sanitation, and Forestry and Conservation. GODBEY, MARTIN VAN BUREN. (Republican.) Born in Raleigh county, December 19,1879; educated in the public schools, at Marshall College and at Grant Univer- sity; a physician and surgeon; received the degree of M. D. from Maryland Medical College; elected to the House of Delegates from Boone county in 1908; a member of the State Board of Health 1909-13; elected to the State Senate in 1914, from the Eighth District; in 1917 had the following commit- tee assignments: Forestry and Conservation (Chairman); To Examine the Clerk's Office (Chairman); Railroads, Insur- ance, Mines and Mining, Medicine and Sanitation, Public Printing, Rules, Virginia Debt. Appointed Chief Medical Ex- aminer of the Workmen's Compensation Fund, May 1,1917. pg. 725 GREGORY, ROBERT LIVINGSTONE. (Republican.) Address: Parkersburg, West Va. Born in Henry county, Virginia, February 26, 1874, the son of a North Carolina soldier of the Union; reared on a farm; educated at Ox- ford, North Carolina, and the University of Virginia, studying law at the latter institution; located subsequently in Tyler county, this State; city attorney of Sistersville four years; member of the House of Delegates in 1903-4; elected to the Senate from the Third District in 1914; committee assignments in 1917: Judiciary (Chairman); Privileges and Elections, Roads and Navigation, Banks and Corporations, Immigration and Agriculture, Medicine and Sanitation, Labor, Public Library and the Virginia Debt. GRIBBLE, WALLACE B. (Republican.) Address: West Union, West Va. Was born at Oxford, Doddridge county; educated in the common and high schools; is an attorney by profession; took a special course in law at West Virginia University; has served as Clerk of the Cir- cuit Court and also as Sheriff of Doddridge county; was elected to the State Senate from the Twelfth District at the November election, 1916; is a hold-over Senator; standing committee assignments in the sessions of 1917: Immigra- tion and Agriculture (Chairman); Finance, Counties and Municipal Corporations, Penitentiary, Militia, Insurance, Medicine and Sanitation, To Examine the Clerk's Office. HAWLEY, WILLIAM PUTNAM. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Bluefield, West Va. Born July 22, 1868, in Raleigh county; educated in the common schools and at the State Normal School at Athens; occupation, merchant, banker, manager of a telephone company, and farmer; served as Superintendent of Schools and Sheriff of Mercer county; also, as Chief of Police of Bluefield, and member of City Council for ten years; member of House of Delegates in 1909-11-13; elected to the Senate from the Seventh Dis- trict in 1914; assigned to committees as follows in 1917: Finance (Chairman); Banks and Corporations, Penitentiary, Medicine and Sanitation, Claims and Grievances, Public Printing, Public Library, Virginia Debt. HOGG, DR. GORY. (Democrat.) Address: Harvey, West Va. Born at Point Pleasant, Mason county, June 29, 1873; educated in the public schools and at West Virginia University; attended the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, Baltimore, graduating in 1895 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine; shortly thereafter located at Harvey, Fayette county, where he has since been practicing; elected to the Senate from the Ninth District in 1912; in the ses- sions of 1917 served on the following standing committees of the Senate: Finance, Penitentiary, Federal Relations, Mines and Mining, Medicine and Sanitation, To Examine. pg. 726 HOUGH, ELMER. (Republican.) Address: Wells- burg, West Va. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, January 15, 1866; educated in the common schools and at California, (Pa.,) Normal and Ada University, Ohio; is a civil engineer by profession and is also engaged in the coal business; has served as President of the following or- ganizations: Wellsburg Board of Trade, Wellsburg Board of Education and the West Virginia S. A. A.; elected to the Senate from the First District in 1916; is a hold-over Sena- tor; committee assignments in 1917: Mines and Mining (Chairman), Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands (Chair- man); Privileges and Elections, Education, Roads and Navigation, Penitentiary, Militia, Public Library. KUMP, GARNETT KERR. (Democrat.) Address: Romney, West Va. Born December 9, 1875; educated in the common schools and at West Virginia University; a lawyer by profession, receiving his legal education at the University; was a member of the House of Delegates in 1905; elected to the Senate in 1912, from the Fifteenth Dis- trict; re-elected in 1916; is a hold-over Senator; has been the patron of important measures looking to the improve- ment of the school? and roads of the State; committee as- signments, 1917: Judiciary, Public Buildings and Humane Institutions, Railroads, Federal Relations, Immigration and Agriculture, Medicine and Sanitation, Forfeited and Unappro- priated Lands, Prohibition and Temperance, Public Printing. LOWE, SCOTT C. (Democrat.) Address: Fairmont, West Va. Born in Marion county September 22, 1875; educated in the public schools and at the West Virginia Uni- versity from which he graduated in 1900, receiving the de- grees of A. B. and L. L. B.; since 1900 has been engaged in practicing law at Fairmont; was Prosecuting Attorney of Marion county 1905-09; elected to the Senate in 1914 from the Eleventh District; in the sessions of 1917 served on committees of the Senate as follows: Finance, Coun- ties and Municipal Corporations, Roads and Navigation, Penitentiary, Militia, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, To Examine the Clerk's Office, Virginia Debt. LUTHER, JOHN WESLEY. (Republican.) Address: Welch, West Va. Born July 26, 1874, at Shoals, Wayne county; educated in the public schools; occupation, under taker and embalmer; occupational education received in a College of Anatomy and Sanitary Science; served several years as Supervisor of the Spencer Hospital and two terms as Councilman in the city of Welch; elected to the Senate from Sixth District in 1916; is a hold-over Senator; served on standing committees in 1917, as follows: Privileges and Elec- tions, (Chairman); Federal Relations (Chairman); Finance, Public Buildings and Humane Institutions, Penitentiary, Immigration and Agriculture, Mines and Mining, Public Printing, To Examine the Clerk's Office. pg. 727 McABOY, WILLIAM PRESLEY. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Huntington, West Va. Born at Rutland, Ohio, Sep- tember 12, 1858; educated in the public schools and at Rio Grande, Ohio; spent most active part of his life on farm and teaching school in Putnam and Cabell counties; elected Sheriff of Putnam county in 1900; is now cashier of the Twen- tieth Street Bank, Huntington; elected to Senate from the Fifth District in 1914; served on the following committees in sessions of 1917: Prohibition and Temperance (Chairman); Public Library (Chairman); Privileges and Elections, Finance, Counties and Municipal Corporations, Banks and Corporations, Insurance, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Public Printing, Rules, Virginia Debt. MILLER, WARREN. (Republican.) Address: Rip- ley, West Va. Born in Meigs county, Ohio; educated in public schools and Ohio University; located at Ripley, Jackson county, studied law; Prosecuting Attorney 1881-9; Delegate-at-Large Republican National convention 1884; member House of Delegates 1891; elected to Congress 1894 and 1896; appointed Judge of Circuit Court 1900; elected in 1902; appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court 1903; member House of Delegates 1911; elected to Senate 1914; served on the following committees in 1917: Virginia Debt, (Chairman); Judiciary, Militia, Federal Relations, Immigra- tion and Agriculture, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Public Printing, To Examine the Clerk's Office. MONTGOMERY, ARCHIBALD ROGER, JR. (Democrat.) Address: Clothier, West Va. Born in Rad- nor township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania; educated in public schools and University of Pennsylvania, from which latter institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering; besides following his profession he is also engaged in the coal business; was elected to the Senate from Eighth District in 1916; a hold-over Senator; committee assignments in the sessions of 1917: Privileges and Elections, Finance, Banks and Corporations, Railroads, Mines and Mining, Claims and Grievances, Public Library, Passed and Enrolled Bills. MORTON, ESKRIDGE H. (Democrat.) Address: Webster Springs. Elected to Senate in 1914 from the Tenth District. Born in Webster county June 18, 1866; educated in common schools and the state University, where he studied law; County Superintendent Webster county 1889-91; Prosecuting Attorneyl893-7; AssistantProsecutingAttomey Nicholas county 1887-1901; Sergeant-at-Arms House of Delegates 1903-4; Democratic nominee for Attorney General 1908; delegate Democratic National Convention, Baltimore, 1912; committee assignments, 1917: Judiciary, Education, Roads and Navigation, Insurance, Claims and Griev- ances; Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Public Printing, Forestry and Conservation, Virginia Debt. pg. 728 PARRISH, ROY EARL. (Republican.) Born Novem- ber 24, 1868, at Wallace, Harrison county; educated in pub- lic schools and West Virginia Wesleyan College and West Virginia University; attorney by profession; studied law at the University; member House of Delegates 1913; chairman Republican Executive Committee Harrison county; elected to the Senate in 1914 from the Twelfth District; committee assignments 1917: Insurance (Chairman); Judiciary, Educa- tion, Railroads, Militia, Public Library, Passed Bills, Virginia Debt. Absent with leave from extra session of 1917, having entered the officers' military training camp at Fort Benja- min Harrison, Indiana; is now Second Lieutenant U. S. Reserves, stationed at Chillicothe, Ohio. SINSEL, DR. CHARLES ARTHUR. (Republican.) Address: Grafton, West Va. Born in Pruntytown, June 5, 1864; primary education received in public schools; subse- quently attended West Virginia University and Dennison University, Granville, Ohio; a physician and surgeon; profes- sional education received at University of Maryland, Balti- more; served asPresidentofBoardof Education and Commis- sioner of Public Schools, Graf ton; member Houseof Delegates 1915; elected to Senate, 1916from Eleventh District; isahold- over Senator; committee assignments 1917: Medicine and Sanitation (Chairman); Railroads, Prohibition and Temper- ance, Education, Public Buildings and Humane Institu- tions, Penitentiary, To Examine the Clerk's Office. TALBOTT, RICHARD EDWARD. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Philippi, West Va. Born on a farm near Philippi, Barbour county, Feb. 21, 1869; received his earlier educa- tion in public schools and the University; graduated from the law department of that institution, receiving degree of L. L. B.; Clerk of the Circuit Court Barbour county 1897- 1903; served as member of the town council, Philippi, Mayor, and President of the Board of Education; now engaged in the banking business; elected to Senate, 1914 from Thir- teenth District; committee assignments 1917: Privileges and Elections, Finance, Education, Banks and Corpora- tions, Labor, Public Library, Prohibition and Temperance. ROSENBLOOM, BENJAMIN LOUIS. (Republican.) Address: Wheeling, West Va. Elected to the Senate from the First District in 1914. Born at Braddock, Pa., June 3, 1880; educated in the common schools, the Western Uni- versity of Pennsylvania and West Virginia University, studying law at the latter institution; practices in the city of Wheeling; is Vice President of the Ohio County Bar Asso- ciation and Vice President of the University Club; in session of 1917 was assigned to and served on the following committees: Counties and Municipal Corporations, (Ch'n); Judiciary, Finance, Insurance, Labor, Claims and Grievances, Public Library, To Examine the Clerk's Office. pg. 729 VENCILL, HENRY G, (Democrat.) Address: Dixie, West Va. Born March 12, 1862, in Russell county, Vir- ginia; was educated in the common schools of Elliott county, Kentucky; is engaged in farming, stock raising and the lumber business; was elected to the Senate in Novem- ber, 1916, from the Ninth Senatorial District; is a hold-over Senator; during the sessions of 1917 he served on the follow- ing standing committees of the Senate: Roads and Naviga- tion, Public Buildings and Humane Institutions, Militia, Mines and Mining, Immigration and Agriculture, Passed and Enrolled Bills, Public Library. Members of the House of Delegates. THURMOND, JOSEPH SAMUEL (Democrat). Speaker of the House of Delegates. Address: Alderson, West Va. Was bom May 9, 1855, and reared on a farm in Fayette county, West Virginia. He received his early education in the common schools of that county, and later at Shelton College, Saint Albans, under the tutorage of Dr. P. B. Reynolds. Numbered among his schoolmates are Dr. George B. Foster, of the University of Chicago; Hon. James H. Stewart, present Commissioner of Agriculture of this State; Senator William E. and Hon. Joseph Chilton, and Rev. John McCutcheon, former Baptist pastor of Morgan- town, West Virginia. Leaving school he taught in the public schools of Fayette county for several years. He was a member of the Board of Examiners. After- wards he engaged in the practice of civil engineering and farming, and still later in coal mining and banking. Mr. Thurmond was the first Mayor of Thurmond and was continued in that office for seven years, or until he moved to Greenbrier county in 1910. He was elected to the West Virginia Legislature as a delegate from Greenbrier county in 1914; re-elected in 1916 and in 1917 was made Speaker of the House of Delegates. His home is at Alderson, Greenbrier county, where he owns and successfully manages a farm. Mr. Thurmond has always been an uncompromising Democrat. AKINS, IRA ALVIN. (Democrat.) Address: Fair- mont, West Va. A member of the House of Delegates from Marion county; elected in 1914; re-elected in 1916. Born August 2, 1874, at Circleville, Pa.; attended the common schools and spent one year in high school; came from a line of Scotch-Irish ancestry who settled in Western Penn- sylvania; became a resident of West Va. in 1896; occupation railroad conductor; has been connected with the Baltimore & Ohio and the Ohio River railroads twenty-two years; has rep- resented railroad employees in wage adjustments and other ways; committee assignments 1917: Humane Institutions and Public Buildings (Chairman; Medicine and Sanitation, Railroads, Claimsand Grievances, ExecutiveOffices, Library. pg. 730 ALLEY, J. FRIEND. (Democrat.) Address: Pine Grove, West Va. Born March 17, 1891, at Pine Grove, Wetzel county; educated in the common schools, and at the Elliott Commercial School, Wheeling; is now cashier of the Bank of Pine Grove; was elected to the House of Delegates as one of the members from Wetzel county in November, 1916, and during the regular session and the extraordinary sessions of 1917 served on the following standing commit- tees of that body: Agriculture, Education, Prohibition and Temperance, Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies, Counties, Districts and Municipal Cor- porations. ARNOLD, EUGENE HILL. (Democrat.) Address: Elkins, West Va. Born in San Diego, Cal., June 6, 1890; educated in public schools, Davis and Elkins College and West Virginia University, where he took law course; before studying law was a newspaper reporter in Washington; lo- cated at Elkins to practice law in 1914; served two terms as Mayor of Elkins, two termsas member of the Second Congres- sional District Democratic Executive Committee; elected to House from Randolph Co., in 1916; committee assign- ments 1917: Federal Relations (Chairman); Judiciary, Vir- ginia Debt, Education, Game and Fish, Penitentiary, Mili- tary Affairs; second extra session. Chairman Committee on Enrolled Bills, on part of House. BASSEL, JAMES. (Democrat.) Address: Weston, West Va. Born March 26,1842, in Harrison county; elemen- tary education received in country schools and at his home; later attended Monongalia Academy, Morgantown; entered United States Military Academy, West Point, June 5, 1863; graduated June 17,1867, class receiving their diplomas from the hands of General Sherman; commissioned Second Lieu- tenant Second United States Artillery; resigned November, 1870; served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Egyptian Army; made tour of world 1873-5; elected to House from Lewis in 1916; committee assignments 1917: Military Affairs (Chair- man); Federal Relations, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings, Prohibition and Temperance. BAXTER, ARTHUR J. (Democrat.) Address: Huntington, West Va. Born in Buffalo, N. Y., August 11, 1870; educated in the public and high schools; served three years as Captain of "D" Company, Buffalo City Guards; came to West Virginia in 1902; is an attorney; also a pav- ing and railroad contractor; has resided in Huntington over twelve years; elected to House of Delegates as one of the members from Cabell county in 1916; during the sessions of 1917 served on the following standing committees: Forestry and Conservation (Chairman); Roads and Internal Navi- gation, Mines and Mining, Medicine and Sanitation, For- feited and Unappropriated Lands, Rules. pg. 731 BLAND, ROBERT.- (Democrat.) Address: Logan, West Va. Born on a farm in Doddridge county; received his earlier education in public schools and later attended West Virginia University; a practicing attorney, receiving his legal training in the law school of the University; served four years as Mayor of the city of Logan and eight years as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Logan county; elected to the House of Delegates in 1914; re-elected in 1916; assigned to the following standing committees in 1917: Mines and Mining (Chairman); Judiciary, Labor, Forfeited and Un- appropriated Lands, Virginia Debt. BOUCHELLE, FRED JULIAN. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Charleston, West Va. Born April 2, 1883, in Thomasville, Georgia; educated in the home schools and at Atlanta, later attended Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Va., from which institution he graduated with the degree of L. L. B.; for a number of years has been a practicing attorney in the city of Charleston; elected to the House of Delegates in November, 1916, as one of the mem- bers from Kanawha county, and had the following assign- ments on standing committees of the House in 1917: Counties, District and Municipal Corporations (Chairman); Elections and Privileges, Judiciary, Forestry and Conserva- tion, Virginia Debt. BRAY, ALBERT BERTRAM CALFEE. (Democrat.) Address: Ronceverte, West Va. Born in Princeton, Mer- cer county, West Virginia, April 2, 1865; educated in com- mon schools—subsequent training "in the school of hard knocks and practical experience;" served on the City Council of Ronceverte, and as President of the Board of Edu- carion; is Cashier of the First National Bank of Ronce- verte; elected to the House from Greenbrier county in November, 1916; to the standing committees of 1917 was assigned as follows: Taxation and Finance (ranking mem- ber); Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies, Railroads, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Forestry and Conservation. BURDETT, JAMES SIDNEY. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Grafton, West Va. Born August 26,1893, in Taylor county; educated in the public schools of Grafton, subse- quently attending the West Virginia University; took the law course at that institution and is now actively engaged in practicing his profession; was elected to the House of Delegates from Taylor county in November, 1916; during the regular and extra sessions of 1917, he was assigned to and served on the following standing committees of the House: Elections and Privileges, Judiciary, Corporations and Joint Stock Companies, Rules, Forfeited and Unap- propriated Lands. pg. 732 BURR, MILTON W. (Democrat.) Address: Bardane, West Va. Born near what is now New Bardane, in 1863, where he is still living; received his education under a pri- vate teacher; is a farmer and fruit grower by occupation; was elected to the House of Delegates from Jefferson county in 1914, and re-elected in November, 1916; during the regular and extra sessions of 1917 was assigned to and served on the following standing committees of that body: Immigration and Agriculture (Chairman); Taxation and Finance, State Boundaries, Roads and Internal Naviga- tion, Forestry and Conservation. BYRNES, G. W. (Republican.) Address: Mounds- ville, West Va. Born in Marshall county, Virginia (now West Virginia), September 5, 1855; received his education in the public schools of that county; occupation, broker; served a number of terms on the town council of Cameron, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs; was chosen as one of the members of the House of Delegates ifrom Marshall county in November, 1916, and in the ses- sions of 1917 served on the following standing committees: Roads and Internal Navigation, Game and Fish, Forestry and Conservation, Federal Relations. CABELL, CHARLES. (Democrat.) Address: Alum Creek, West Va. Born in Madison, Boone county, April 3 1862; received his education in the local schools; sub- sequently removed to Lincoln county; is a farmer and mer- chant by occupation; at present is engaged in merchandis- ing at Alum Creek, Kanawha county; was elected to the House of Delegates in November, 1916, as a representative from the county of Lincoln, and during the regular and extraordinary sessions of the Legislature of 1917 was as- signed to and served on standing committees of the House as follows: Railroads, Game and Fish, State Boundaries. CARDER, WILLIAM WARFIELD. (Democrat.) Address: Green Spring, West Va. Born in Oldtown, Al- leghany county, Maryland, February 26, 1863; parents moved to Green Spring about 1877 where he was educated in public schools and under private tutors; occupation, far- mer, merchant and all-'round business man; a stockholder in the Second National Bank of Cumberland and stock- holder and director in the Cumberland Milling Company and the Cumberland Dry Goods and Notion Company; elected to the House from Hampshire county 1916; com- mittee assignments in the sessions of 1917: Claims and Grievances, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings, Immigration and Agriculture, Labor, Game and Fish. pg. 733 CASTO, KENNA. (Republican.) Address: Staats Mills, West Va. Born January 9, 1891, at Belgrove, Jack- son county; received his education in the rural schools; is a teacher by profession; a farmer by occupation; has taught in the public schools for ten years; was first prin- cipal of the Beech Grove Public School, of Belgrove; in November, 1916, was elected as one of the representatives from Jackson county to the lower House, and in the regular and special sessions of the Legislature following, served as a member of the committee on Executive Offices, the committee on Library and the committee on the Penitentiary. CHIPLEY, JOHN DIXON. (Democrat.) Address: Moorefield, West Va. Born in Moorefield, June 4, 1866; elementary education received in the free schools, and subse- quently spent one year in college; occupation, fanning and mercantile milling; has been Surveyor and Sheriff of his county; also, Vice President of the Hardy County Bank, the Hardy County Milling Company, and President of the Branch Mountain Orchard Company and the South Branch Telephone Company; elected to the House of Delegates 1916; committee assignments in the sessions of 1917: Claims and Grievances(Chairman);ImmigrationandAgriculture, Coun- ties, Districts and Municipal Corporations, State Boundaries. CLAY, WILLIAM NATHAN. (Democrat.) Address: Barboursville. Was born in Wayne county, West Virginia, April 3, 1865, and received his education in the public schools of that county; farmer by occupation; elected Jus- tice of the Peace of Barboursville District in the years 1904, 1908 and 1912; elected as one of the representatives from Cabell county in the House of Delegates in 1916; in the sessions of 1917 was assigned to and served on standing committees, as follows: Elections and Privileges, Insur- ance, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings, Edu- cation, Executive Offices and Library. CONNER, JOHN LEWIS. (Democrat.) Address: Huntington, West Va. One of the members of the House from Cabell county. Born in Milton; educated in the com- mon and high schools and Marshall College; conductor on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad and Chairman and Gen- eral Secretary of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen on the Chesapeake & Ohio system; served as delegate to the Grand Lodge of that brotherhood at San Francisco in 1913, and at Detroit in 1916; in the legislative sessions of 1917 had committee assignments as follows: Railroads, Medi- cine and Sanitation, Prohibition and Temperance, Arts, Science and General Improvements, Claims and Grievances. the Clerk's.ffice [sic], Forestry and Conservation, Virginia Debt. pg. 734 COTRILL, E. E. (Democrat.) Address: Sand Fork, West Va. Delegate from Gilmer county. Born June 6, 1866 and educated in the public schools of that county; occupation, farming and timbering; never held any public office until he was elected in 1916 to represent his county in the Legislature. During the regular and extraordinary sessions of 1917 he was assigned to and served on the House standing committees on Taxation and Finance, Education, Labor, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings, Game and Fish, Roads and Internal Navigation. He also served on the sub-committee apponted [sic] to draft the "Good Roads Bill." CURRY, WILLIAM DEXTER. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Point Pleasant, West Va. Born at West Columbia, Mason county, March 23, 1872; educated in the public schools of Point Pleasant and at Walnut Hill, Illinois; by occupation is a master and pilot of river steamers; was a member of the Point Pleasant School Board 1898- 1900; elected as one of the representatives from Mason county to the Legislature in 1914; re-elected in 1916; committee assignments in the House in 1917: Mines and Mining, Labor, Game and Fish; during the last week of the regular session was one of the committee appointed to make up the special calendar. DAVIS, JOSEPH WILBUR. (Democrat.) Address: Macdonald, West Va. Born in Pamplin, Appomattox county, Virginia; received his education in the public schools and at Massey Business College, Richmond; was a farmer by occupation until 1900; came to West Vir- ginia in December of that year and has since been engaged in the mercantile business in Fayette county; was elected as one of the representatives from that county to the Legislature in 1916; during the sessions of 1917 served on the House committees on Penitentiary, Insurance, Mines and Mining, Private Corporations and Joint Stock Com- panies, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings. DIXON,PAYTON ALBERT. (Republican.) Address: Bayard, West Va. Born in Elk Garden, Mineral county, West Virginia, June 25, 1869; educated in public schools; occupation, farmer, breeder of fine Aberdeen cattle, stock dealer and interested in the mercantile business; served as Justice of the Peace in Mineral county, was twice elected and served as President of the Board of Education of Union District, Grant county; in 1916, was chosen as representa- tive from Grant county in the Legislature, and in the sessions of 1917 was assigned to and served on the House standing committees on Prohibition and Temperance, and Federal Relations. pg. 735 EMSLEY, JOHN EDWARD. (Republican.) Ad- dress: West Liberty, West Va. One of the representatives from Ohio county. Born January 29, 1881, in Marshall county; educated in the public schools and at West Liberty State Normal School; is a prosperous farmer and dairy- man and a breeder of fine cattle; has served as President of the Board of Education of Liberty District, Ohio county; elected to the House of Delegates in November 1916, and in the sessions of 1917 served on the following standing committees of that body: Roads znd [sic] Inter- nal Navigation, Claims and Grievances and State Boun- daries. FERGUS0N, R. B. (Republican) Address: Blue- field, West Va. Born in Carter county, Tennessee, August 6, 1872; educated in the public schools; occupation, locomotive engineer on the Norfolk & Western Rail- way; has served eight years in the Bluefield city council and is still a member of that body; has been a member of the Board of Education of Beaver Pond District four years and still serving in that connection; elected to the Legislature in 1916 as one of the delegates from Mercer county; committee assignments in 1917: Edu- cation, Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations, Claims and Grievances, Labor. FERGUSON, WILLIAM KIMBALL. (Democrat) Address: Fort Gay, West Va. Was born in Wayne county West Virginia, May 14, 1874, and educated in the com- mon and select schools of that county; by profession a teacher; a fanner by occupation; has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and was elected to the Legislature in November, 1916, as one of the delegates from Wayne county; in the sessions of 1917 served on House stand- ing committees on Education, Prohibition and Temper- ance, Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations Humane Institutions and Public Buildings, State Boun- daries. FLEMING, ARCH K. (Republican.) Address: Folsom, West Va. Delegate from Doddridge county. Born at Center Point, in that county, May 31, 1892; received his elementary education in the common schools and afterwards took special courses at the State Normal School, at Fairmont, and the West Virginia Business College, at Salem; a teacher by profession; was chosen to represent Doddridge county in the Legislature at the November election, 1916, and in the sessions of 1917 served on House standing committees on Prohibition and Tem- perance, Education, Virginia Debt, Medicine and Sanita- tion, Counties. Districts and Municipal Corporations. pg. 736 GLOVER, WILLIAM HENRY. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Terra Alta. Born in Preston county, May 17, 1846, near Cranberry Summit (now Terra Alta). educated in country and public schools; served in the Union army, 1864-5; located at Cranberry Summit when the war closed and engaged in mercantile business; member of the House of Delegates in 1885, 1895, 1897 and 1913; postmaster at Terra Alta 1899-1904; served several terms as Mayor; is a banker and officially connected with the Terra Alta and Englehart Woolen mills; re-elected to the Legislature in 1916; committee assignments, 1917: Judiciary, Pri- vate Corporations and JointStock Companies, Virginia Debt. GRAVES, WILLIAM G. .(Democrat.) Address: Gilboa, West Va. Representative in the House from the county of Nicholas. Born March 25,1845, in Orange coun- ty, Virginia; received his education in free schools and the civil war; a farmer and stock dealer; served as Sheriff of Nicholas county for a term of six years; elected to the Legislature in November, 1916, and in the sessions of 1917 served on the following standing committees of the House: Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies, Claims and Grievances, Printing and Contingent Expenses, Forestry and Conservation, Arts, Science and General Improvements. HAGERMAN, HARVEY. (Republican.) Address: Dan, West Va. One of the representatives in the House of Delegates from McDowell. Born in that county September 15, 1871; received his education in the public schools; is a manufacturer of and dealer in lumber; elected Assessor for the second assessment district of McDowell county in 1896; in 1903 was chosen as one of the delegates to the Legislature; re-elected in 1905; was again elected in 1916, and in the sessions of 1917 served on House stand- ing committees on Federal Relations, Forfeited, De- linquent and Unappropriated Lands. HALL, SEPTIMIUS. (Democrat.) Address: New Mar- tinsville, West Va. One of the delegates from Wetzel. Born in Ritchie county February 14,1847; educated in the common schools and the New Martinsville high school; is one of five surviving members of the Constitutional Con- tion of 1872; served one term in the Senate and numer- ous terms in House; oldest delegate in point of continuous service; the present legislature passed a concurrent resolution in which his long and faithful services were recognized and highly commended; committee assignments 1917: Virginia Debt (Chairman); Elections and Privileges, Taxation and Finance, Insurance, Rules, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Executive Offices and Library. pg. 737 HARDMAN, PAUL. (Democrat.) Address: Hall- burg, West Va. Delegate from Clay county. Born at Hardman Bend, Calhoun county, February 22, 1886; re- ceived his elementary education in the common schools and later attended Marshll College, at Huntington; is a farmer, lumberman and livestock man; never held pub- lic office until he was elected to represent Clay county in the present Legislature; his committee assignments during sessions of 1917 were as follows: Immigration and Agricul- ture, Executive Offices and Library, Printing and Contin- gent Expenses, Military Affairs, Arts, Science and Gen- eral Improvements. HARPER, EBENEZER HOWARD. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Keystone, West Va. One of the delegates from Mc- Dowell. Born in Tazewell county, Virginia, August 4, 1864; educated in free schools and V. N. C. I. of Va.: law- yer and farmer; graduated at Howard University, Washing- ton, and received the degree of L. L. B.; appointed by Gov- ernor White in 1904 on the Board of Regents of the West Virginia Colored Institute; re appointed by Governor Daw- son; elected committeeman-at-large by the Republicans in 1912; in the legislative session of 1917 was assigned to House committees on State Boundaries, Forfeited and Un- appropriated Lands, Claims and Grievances. HARRISON, SAMUEL ROBERTSON. (Republican.) Address: Clarksburg, West Va. Born in that city; edu- cated in common schools, the Clarksburg high school and the West Virginia University; took the law course in the lat- ter institution and has since been practicing his profession at Clarksburg; also Assistant Clerk of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia; Clerk of the Judiciary Committee of the Senate in 1915; elected to House as a Delegate from Harrison coun- ty in 1916; committee assignments in 1917: Judiciary, Roads and Internal Navigation, Military Affairs. HARVEY, L. T. (Democrat.) Address: Frametown, West Va. Born in Doddridge county in 1875; educated in free schools and the Glenville Normal; taught school for years in Gilmer county; moved to Braxton county in 1906, where he purchased a farm; aside from being a farmer he is also a minister; served on the Board of Education of Birch District, Braxton county; elected in 1916 as one of the dele- gates from Braxton county; committee assignments in 1917: Prohibition and Temperance (Chairman); Educa- tion, Penitentiary, Game and Fish, Labor, Arts, Science and General Improvements. pg. 738 HAYMOND, FRANK C. (Democrat.) Address: Fair- mont. Born in that city April 13, 1887; graduated at Fair- mont State Normal School, 1906; in the fall of 1906 entered Harvard University; in 1910 received the degree of A. B. from Harvard College; a practicing attorney; received his legal education at Harvard Law School; in 1916 elected as one of the delegates from Marion county; committee assign- ments in 1917: Private Corporations and Joint Stock Com- panis [sic] (Chairman); Judiciary, Elections and Privileges, Mines and Mining, Arts, Science and General Improve- ments, Rules, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands. He also served on the Special Committee on the Virginia Debt. HEABERLIN, CHARLES L. (Republican.) Address: Beckley, West Va. Born in Hancock county, Tennessee, February 12, 1883. Shortly afterward his father moved to Wise county, Virginia. The son was educated there in the free schools and in the high school at Wise, the county seat; now engaged in general insurance and is Vice President and General Manager of the Home Insurance Agency at Beck- ley; has been a citizen of West Virginia since 1900; worked several years in coal mines; was elected as one of the dele- gates from Raleigh in 1916; committee assignments, 1917: Taxation and Finance, Insurance, Forestry and Con- servation. HENSHAW, HARRY PRESTON. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Bunker Hill, West Va. Born in that village; edu- cated in public schools of Berkeley county, at Shenandoah Academy, Winchester, Va., and the West Virginia Uni- versity; a prominent and successful farmer and fruit grower in a section noted for its fine farm products and fruits; elected in 1917 as one of the delegates from Berkeley county; committee assignments 1917: Arts, Science and General Improvements (Chairman); Federal Relations, Education, Counties, Districts and Municipal Corpora- tions, Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings, Immigration and Agriculture, Medicine and Sanitation. HERSMAN, ALEXANDER MORRISON. (Republi- can.) Address: Spencer, West Va. One of the representa- tives from Roane. Born in that county August 22, 1858; educated in public schools of Spencer and Burnsville, Brax- ton county, where he lived for three years; returned from there to Roane where he has engaged in farming and stock raising, near Spencer; served eight years on the district school board; was never a candidate for a political office until 1914, when he was elected to the Legislature; re- elected in 1916; in the sessions of 1917 served on the House standing committees on Elections and Privileges, Printing and Contingent Expenses, Immigration and Agriculture. pg. 739 HICKMAN FRANCIS RODNEY. (Republican ) Ad- dress: Middlebourne West Va. Representative from Ty- ler county. Born at Middlebourne January 11 1870 and received his education there in the public schools; now en- gaged in the banking business; in past years served as Deputy Clerk of the County Court and Deputy Clerk of the Circuit Court of Tyler county; was connected with the Bank of Middlebourne as Assistant Cashier and Cashier for fourteen years; elected to the House of Delegates in 1916, and in the sessions following served on the committees on Prohibition and Temperance, Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies and Virginia Debt. HILLEARY JOHN B. (Republican.) Address: Buckhannon West Va. Born in 1880; educated in the public schools and at Wesleyan College; is a practical printer and an experienced editor who received his occu- pational and professional training in the newspaper offices at Buckhannon; has served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Republican Executive Committee of Upshur county; elected in 1916 to represent that county in the House of Delegates and in the session of 1917 was assigned to and served on the committees on Military Affairs and Printing and Contingent Expenses. HINER GRANVILLE ARMSTRONG. (Democrat.) Address: Franklin West Va. Born in Pendleton county, Virginia (now W. Va.) Jan. 27 1855; education received in common schools, Bridgewater high school and Oakland Academy Virginia; occupation fanning and teaching in public and graded schools; taught twenty-six terms; served as County Supt. of Schools and two terms as Commissioner of the County Court of Pendleton county; elected to House of Delegates 1914 without opposition; re-elected in 1916; sessions of 1917 served on the committees on Education Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies, Printing and Contingent Expenses Immigration and Agriculture Arts Science and General Improvements. HONAKER WILLIAM B. (Republican.) One of the delegates from the county of Mercer; lives at Matoaka. Born February 11 1870; educated in common, private and summer normal schools; engaged in teaching in Raleigh and Mercer counties from 1888 to 1899; was County Super- intendent of Schools of Mercer county from 1895 to 1899; moved to McDowell county in 1902 and engaged in the coal business there until 1908 when he returned to Mercer; pg. 740 HUGHES, EVERETT. (Republican.) Address: Sandyville, West Va. Born in Mason county, May 1, 1895; was educated in the public schools; is a teacher by profession; was appointed principal of the Sandyville school when but nineteen years of age; has always taken a great interest in educational work and the development of the free school system of the State; was elected in 1916 as one of the delegates from Jackson county, and in the ses- sions of 1917 served on standing committees as follows: Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies, Claims and Grievances, Humane Institutions and Public Build- ings. HUNTER, CARL HANSON. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Moundsville. One of the representatives from Marshall county. Was born in Moundsville September 10, 1874, and educated there in the public schools; is engaged in the banking business and is actively interested in public affairs and the material development of his home city and county; was elected to the House of Delegates in November, 1916, and served on the committees on Mines and Mining, Private Corporations and Joint Stock Com- panies, Penitentiary, Railroads and the Virginia Debt, during the sessions of 1917. JOHN, WILLIAM SCOTT. (Republican.) Address: Morgantown, West Va. One of the representatives from Monongalia county. Born in that county January 10, 1878; educated in the public schools and the University, receiving from the latter the degrees of A. B. and L. L. B.; is a lawyer by profession; also interested in coal produc- tion and agriculture; instructor in the University law school 1904; law clerk for Supreme Court of Appeals 1905-7; elected to the Legislature in 1916; was minority floor leader in the sessions of 1917; served on the following committees: Judiciary, Railroads, Elections and Privi- leges, Engrossed Bills and the Virginia Debt JOHNSON, LOUIS ARTHUR. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Clarksburg, West Va. One of the representatives from Harrison county. Born in Roanoke county, Vir- ginia; educated in the public schools and in the University of Virginia, receiving from that institution the degree of B. L.; a lawyer by profession. Before entering upon active practice, he served as assistant instructor in the University of Virginia; elected to the legislature in 1916; in the sessions of 1917 was made chairman of the Judiciary committee, serving, also, on the following committees: Virginia Debt, Elections and Privileges, Game and Fish, Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Forestry and Con- servation and Printing and Contingent Expenses. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES pg. 741 JONES, LUTHER RAYMOND. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Bald Knob, West Va. Representative from Boone county. Born at Sheridan, Lincoln county. West Virginia June 18, 1892; was educated in the public schools the Fairmont State Normal and the Lebanon (Ohio) Univer- sity; a teacher by profession. Mr. Jones has done much to introduce advanced methods. Before becoming a teacher, he had a varied experience as a fanner miner and sailor. Elected to the House of Delegates in 1916; in the session of 1917 he served on the following com- mittees: Humane Institutions and Public Buildings Arts, Sciences and General Improvement. KOONTZ, LUTHER VAUGHN. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Clendenin, West Va. Born at Kesler's Cross Lanes, Nicholas county; educated in the public schools; is now extensively engaged in banking and in the oil and gas business. Since the entrance of the United States into the war with Germany, he has devoted much time to Red Cross work and has been a liberal contributor. At present he is interested in arousing the people to the necessity of purchasing Liberty Bonds. Elected to the legislature from Kanawha county in 1916, in the 1917 sessions he served as chairman of the committee on Executive Offices and Buildings, and on the following committees: Railroads, Rules and Penitentiary. LESTER, KENNA. (Democrat.) Address: Pink, West Va. Born in Wirt county. West Virginia, March 24, 1889; educated in the district and select schools; is now engaged in farming, in which business he is re- garded as authority insofar as scientific and advanced methods are concerned. Mr. Lester was elected to the legislature from Calhoun county in 1916, and in the sessions of 1917 was assigned to and served on the fol- lowing standing committees of the House: Education Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations, Game and Fish, Insurance, Roads and Internal Navigation. MAHAN, THOMAS JONES. (Republican.) Address: Follansbee, West Va. Representative from Brooke county. Born in Brooke county, Virginia (that part now being Hancock county, West Virginia), in 1846; educated in the common schools and at Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio; extensively engaged in the real estate business; has served as a member and President of the Board of Educa- tion of Crow Creek District of Brooke county, and as Mayor of Follansbee; elected to the legislature in 1916, he served in the 1917 sessions on the following commit- tees: Immigration and Agriculture, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings and Prohibition. pg. 742 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES MASSAU, CHARLES JACOB. (Democrat.) Address: Montgomery, West Va. Born in Wheeling, Ohio county, September 23, 1874; educated in the public schools, with occupational training on the Chesapeake & Ohio Rail- way, by which company he is at present employed as a locomotive engineer. He was only four years old when his parents came to Fayette county; at the age of twelve he entered the mines and worked there until 1906, when he entered the railroad service. Elected to the legislature in 1916; in the 1917 session, served on the following com- mittees: Labor (Chairman), Federal Relations, Military Affairs, Arts, Science and General Improvements, Medi- cine and Sanitation. MOORE, JOHN. (Republican.) Address: Bridge- port, West Va. One of the represensataives [sic] from Harrison county. Born in Bridgeport, Harrison county, and edu- cated in the public schools. At present is actively engaged in farming; is also extensively interested in the hotel business; served eight years as postmaster at Bridgeport; was elected to the House of Delegates in 1916, and served in the 1917 sessions, being a member of the following standing committees: Federal Relations, Labor, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings, Immigration and Agriculture. MOORE, SAMUEL NEWTON. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Keyser, West Va. Representative from the county of Mineral. Born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1863; educated in the common schools; resides in the town of Keyser and is President and Manager of the Potomac Milling & Feed Company; has served three terms as a member of the Council of Keyser and is now serving his second term as a member of the Board of Review and Equalization of Mineral county; elected to the House of Delegates in 1914; re-elected in 1916; served during the 1917 sessions on the following com- mittees: Insurance, Arts, Science and General Improve- ments and Penitentiary. MULLENS, ANDREW JACKSON. (Republican) Address: Mullens, West Va. Delegate from the county of Wyoming; resides at Mullens. Born in Tazewell county, Virginia, in 1857; educated in the common schools of Pike county, Kentucky; located subsequently in McDowell county; was deputy sheriff there in 1892; removed to Wyoming in 1896; purchased and improved a tract of land through which the Virginian Railroad now runs; has served two terms as Justice of the Peace and two terms as Mayor of Mullens; elected to the Legis- lature in 1914; re-elected in 1916 and served in the 1917 sessions on the following committees: Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Executive Officers, Library and State Boundaries. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES pg. 743 MURRAY, ELI ORVAL. (Democrat.) Address: Mannington, West Va. One of the delegates from Marion county. Born February 28, 1882, in Mannington Dis- trict, Marion county; received his earlier education in a country school and later attended the Fairmont State Normal; occupation, farmer, lumber dealer, oil producer and raiser of pure bred Short Horn cattle; is President of the Clayton Oil Company; elected to the House of Dele- gates as one of the representatives from Marion county in 1912 and served in the session of 1913; re-elected in 1914; re-elected again in 1916; committee assignments in 1917: Taxation and Finance, Forfeited and Unappro- priated Lands, Forestry and Conservation, Mines and Mining, Immigration and Agriculture. McBEE, PERRY C. (Republican.) Address: Mor- gantown, West Va. One of the representatives from Monongalia county. Born in Monongalia county; edu- cated in the public schools and in the West Virginia University, graduating from that institution in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Science; also took one year's course in the University of California; engaged from 1897 until 1914 either as principal or superintendent of schools; is at present engaged in farming. Mr. McBee was elected to the legislature in 1916, serving on the committees on Game and Fish, and Education, in the sessions of 1917. MacDONALD, ANGUS W. (Democrat.) Address: Charleston, West Va. One of the members from Kanawha county. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, May 2, 1877; educated in the public schools, the West Virginia Uni- versity and the University of Louisville, receiving the degree of L. L. B.; engaged in the active practice of law, being a member of the firm of Brown, Jackson & Knight; President of the Provident Life & Casualty Company, of Charleston. Mr. MacDonald was elected to the Legis- lature in 1916, and in the 1917 sessions served on the following committees: Railroads (Chairman); Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands, Mines and Mining and the Judiciary. OTTO, WILLIAM THOMAS. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Wheeling, West Va. One of the representatives from the county of Ohio. Born in that city August 28, 1850; educated in the public schools; from 1878 to 1913— a period of thirty-five years—was Superintendent of the North Wheeling Glass Works; has now retired; was a member of the Board of Public Works of Wheeling; served twenty years in the first branch of the city council and two years in the second branch; was elected to the House of Delegates in 1914; re-elected in 1916; com- mittee assignments in 1917: Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations, Medicine and Sanitation, Arts, Science and General Improvements. pg. 744 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES PARKS, JOHN NADENBOUSCH. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Martinsburg, West Va. One of the members of the House of Delegates from Berkeley county. Born in Martinsburg, West Virginia; educated in the public schools, the West Virginia University, Virginia Military Institute and the University of Virginia; since leaving school has been engaged in a general line of business, and has occupied the position of cashier; elected to the legis- lature in 1916, and served in the 1917 sessions, being chairman of the committee on Roads and Internal Navi- gation. He was also a member of the following com- mittees: Taxation and Finance, Prohibition and Tem- perance, Labor, and Executive Offices and Library PATRICK, JOHN. (Democrat.) Address: Charles- ton, West Va. One of the representatives from Kanawha county. Born in Jackson, Kentucky, September 10, 1872; educated in the public schools, the University of Ken- tucky and the Louisville (Kentucky) Law School; served as County Attorney for Breathitt county, Kentucky; was Captain in the Fourth Kentucky Volunteers during the Spanish-American war; at present engaged in the insurance business, being general agent for the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company; was elected to the legislature in 1916 and in the 1917 sessions served on the following committees: Insurance (Chairman); State Boundaries, Labor and Executive Offices and Library. PAYNE, OSCAR FLOYD. (Democrat.) Address: Charleston, West Va. Member of the House of Delegates from Kanawha county. Born in Palmyra, Fluvanna county, Virginia, October 20, 1873; educated in the com- mon schools; since coming to Kanawha county has been intimately associated with its general development, having large real estate, insurance and banking connections; is also deeply interested in religious work, being President of the Union Mission Settlement, of Charleston; elected to the Legislature in 1916; during the 1917 sessions served on the following committees: Temperance and Prohibition, Roads and Internal Navigation, Arts, Science and General Improvements and Printing and Contingent Expenses. POLING, CLYDE. (Republican.) Address: Berry- burg, West Va. Member of the House of Delegates from Barbour county. Born in that county April 13, 1891; educated in the public and subscription schools, and at the Fairmont State Normal; has devoted practically his entire time to educational work, his present profession being that of Principal of Schools. Along with this work, however, he has given much attention to the cause of temperance. He was elected to the Legislature in 1916, and during the 1917 sessions was a member of the following committees: Education and Prohibition and Temperance. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES pg. 745 PORTER, JACOB NESSLY. (Republican.) Address- Newell, West Va. Representative from Hancock county. Born at New Cumberland, August 28, 1885; educated in the public schools and at Wellsville, Ohio; his ancestors settled at what is now Arroyo, Hancock county, in 1785, and they and succeeding generations were intimately associated with the progress and development of the county. Mr. Porter is now extensively engaged in the manufacture of paving and fire brick, and also gives con- siderable attention to fruit growing and stock raising; elected to the House of Delegates in 1914, succeeding his father, re-elected in 1916; committee assignments 1917: Taxation and Finance, Insurance, Election and Privileges and Labor. PRICE, ANDREW W. (Democrat.) Address: Blun- don, West Va. One of the members of the House of Delegates from Kanawha county. Born at Blundon Kanawha county January. 23 1891; educated in the public schools of Kanawha county and in the commercial colleges at Charleston; is at present engaged in school teaching, devoting however a portion of his time to the study of law. Mr. Price was elected a member of the House of Delegates in 1916 and during the 1917 sessions received and filled the following committee assignments: Military Affairs, Medicine and Sanitation and Claims and Grievances. PRICE, W. D. (Democrat.) Address: Parkersburg, West Va. One of the members of the House from Wood county. Born in Wetzel county, West Virginia, Septem- ber 15, 1877; educated in the public schools and the Fair- mont State Normal; at present is engaged in the mercan- tile business and at farming; did much in committee to perfect the present prohibition law; elected to the Legis- lature in 1916; during the 1917 sessions was assigned to the following committees: Penitentiary (Chairman), Prohibition and Temperance, Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies, Roads and Internal Navigation, Claims and Grievances, Humane Institutions and Public Buildings. RADER, LEE. (Democrat.) Address: Sutton, West Va. Member of the House from Braxton county. Born January 7, 1874, near Summersville, Nicholas county; educated in the public schools and in the Summersville Normal School; occupation, traveling salesman; is deeply interested in and has done much to promote the cause of good roads; also, to enhance the general commercial interests of the State; elected to the House of Delegates in 1916; during the 1917 sessions he received and filled the following committee assignments: Federal Relations, Military Affairs, State Boundaries, Roads and Internal Navigation, Executive Offices and Library. pg. 746 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES RENSHAW, WILLIAM CARTER WICKHAM. (Democrat.) Address: Huntington, West Va. Born November 19, 1882, at Teneriffe, Canary Islands, was educated at the University of Virginia and received from that institution the degrees of B. A. and M. A.; is a practicing attorney; received his professional education at the University of Virginia and the University of West Virginia; was elected in 1916 as one of the delegates from Cabell county; in 1917 was made chairman of the com- mittee on Taxation and Finance and filled the position in an able and satisfactory manner; served also on the Judiciary, Labor, Elections and Privileges, and Mines and Mining committees. RIDDLEBERGER, A. A. (Democrat.) Address: Hinton, West Va. Member of the House of Delegates from Summers county. Born at Patterson's Creek, Bote- tourt county, Virginia, April 19, 1865; educated in the common schools and the Alleghany County (Virginia) high school; occupation, railway conductor; served three terms as councilman in the city of Hinton; elected to the Legislature in 1916 and during the 1917 sessions received and filled the following committee assignments: State Boundaries (Chairman); Railroads, Medicine and Sani- tation, Forestry and Conservation, Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations and the Virginia Debt. SARVER, GEORGE THOMAS. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Ernest, West Va. One of the representatives from Roane county. Born in that county September 21, 1870; educated in the public, private and summer normal schools; was engaged in teaching in Roane county from 1891 until 1914, at which time he took up the occupation of farming and stock raising; served as President of Board of Education of his home district; was elected to the House of Delegates in 1916 and during the 1917 sessions served on the following committees: Military Affairs, Arts, Sciences and General Improvements and State Boundaries. SKAGGS, GEORGE HENRY. (Democrat.) Address: Marvel, West Va. One of the representatives from Fayette county. Born at Marvel, Fayette county; educated in the public schools; is a miner by occupation, and has done much for the betterment of general conditions surrounding the mining industry, especially as regards social and educational features; was postmaster at Marvel from July 1912 until 1915; elected to the House of Delegates in 1916; during the 1917 session received the following committee assignments: Military Affairs, Claims and Grievances, Forestry and Conservation, Mines and Mining, and State Boundaries. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES pg. 747 SHAW, LEROY. (Republican.) Address: King- wood, West Va. Born January 5, 1844, in Preston county, Virginia (now West Virginia); educated in the sub- scription schools of that day; occupation, farmer and stockman; during the civil war was a private in the Seventh West Virginia Infantry; severely wounded at Antietam; discharged as a corporal; later served as Commissary Sergeant Fourth Cavalry, and still later as First Sergeant Sixth Cavalry; finally brevetted Second Lieutenant; has been Sheriff and County Commissioner and filled many other positions of honor and trust; elected to the. House from Preston county in 1916; committee assignments in 1917: Taxation and Finance, Immigra- tion and Agriculture, Printing and Contingent Expenses, Forestry and Conservation. SMITH, GILBERT D. (Democrat.) Address: St. Marys, West Va. Member of the House of Delegates from Pleasants county. Born in Tyler county, Virginia (now West Virginia), September 3, 1855; educated in the common and academic schools; Prosecuting Attorney of Tyler county 1885-1886; Prosecuting Attorney of Pleasants county from January 1, 1909, to January 1, 1913; Presidential Elector-at-Large for Wilson and Marshall, 1912; a lawyer by profession; elected to the Legislature in 1916 and during the 1917 session received and filled the following committee assignments: Judiciary, Private Corporations and Joint Stock Companies and the Penitentiary. SOMERS, WILLIAM HENRY. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Berkeley Springs, West Va. Member of the House of Delegates from Morgan county. Born at Frederick, Maryland, July 20, 1860; educated in the free schools of Indiana; is a banker and orchardist; has served as President of the Board of Education and as Postmaster at Berkeley Springs; President of the Bank of Morgan county; is identified with the general business interests of Morgan county; was elected to the House of Delegates in 1916 and during the 1917 session he received and filled the following committee assignments: Immigra- tion and Agriculture, Railroads and Labor. STRATON, JOSEPH BUTCHER. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Williamson, West Va. Member of the House of Delegates from Mingo county. Born September 10, 1888, at Myrtle, Logan (now Mingo), county; educated in the public schools, the Alderson (West Va.) Academy, Ohio Military Institute, Cincinnati, University of Virginia and the West Virginia University; is a lawyer by pro- fession; was elected to the Legislature in 1916 and during the 1917 sessions served on the following standing com- mittees: Elections and Privileges (Chairman); Judiciary, Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations, Forefeited and Unappropriated Lands, Mines and Mining, and Insurance. pg. 748 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES STURM, GEORGE W. (Republican.) Address: West Milford, West Va. One of the members of the House of Delegates from Harrison county. Born March 10, 1861, in Marion county; educated in the public schools; taught in the schools of Marion county for ten years; moved to West Milford, Harrison county in 1904; member of the town council of West Milford; farmer, merchant and extensive fruit grower; elected to the Legislature in 1916 and during the sessions of 1917 was assigned to the following committees: Printing and Contingent Expenses, State Boundaries, Medicine and Sanitation. SULLIVAN, VICTOR E. (Republican.) Address: Raleigh, West Va. Born at Powellsville, Scioto county, Ohio, August 15, 1854; educated in the public schools of Scioto and Gallia counties; has been a resident of West Virginia fourteen years, locating first in Fayette county and later in Raleigh; is a mining superintendent, receiv- ing his occupational experience in Ohio and West Virginia; has been Chairman of the Republican Committee of Raleigh county for five years; elected to the House in 1914; re-elected in 1916; in 1917 had the following com- mittee assignments: Prohibition and Temperance, Coun- ties, Districts and Municipal Corporations and Printing and Contingent Expenses. SWEENEY, JOHN D. (Democrat.) Address: Wil- liamstown, West Va. Born February 9, 1860, at Alma, Tyler county; educated in the public schools and at the West Virginia University, graduating in the class of 1885, with degrees of B. S. and M. S.; eight years a member of State Board of Examiners for teachers; assistant prin- cipal and for six years principal of Concord State Normal; state senator 1887-1891; engaged now in the oil business; elected to the House from Wood county in 1916; com- mittee assignments, 1917: Education (Chairman); Claims and Grievances, Printing and Contingent Expenses, Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations. SWOPE, JOSEPH BUELL. (Republican.) Address: Welch, West Va. Born on Wolf Creek, Monroe county, West Virginia, July 1, 1887; educated in the public schools, the Hinton high school, Capital City Commercial college, Charleston, and the Valpariaso (Indiana) Uni- versity; at present is engaged in the newspaper business, in which work he has had a varied and interesting ex- perience; elected to the Legislature in 1916 as one of the representatives from McDowell county; during the ses- sions of 1917 he received the following committee assign- ments: Claims and Grievances, Forfeited and Unap- propriated Lands and State Boundaries. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES pg. 749 SYMNS, CLARENCE (Democrat.) Address: Peters- town, West Va. Member from Monroe county. Born August 10, 1878, at Linside, Monroe county; educated in the public schools, the Lee Military Academy, the West Virginia University and the University of Tennessee; member of the State Board of Agriculture, 1901; member of the Legislature 1910 and served in the regular and special sessions of 1911; occupation, farmer and stock- man; elected to the House in 1916, and served during the 1917 sessions on the following committees: Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations, Insurance, Labor, Roads and Internal Navigation, Executive Offices and Library. TALBOTT, WATEMAN TURNER. (Democrat.) Address: Webster Springs, West Va. Born near Philippi, Barbour county; educated in the public schools, at Fair- mont Normal and West Virginia University; took the law course at the latter institution and received the degree of L. L. B.; since then has been engaged in active practice; has served as Mayor of Webster Springs; was elected to the House of Delegates in 1899, again in 1909, again in 1914, and was re-elected in 1916; served on committees as follows in 1917: Forfeited and Unappropriated Lands (Chairman); Elections and Privileges, Judiciary, Pro- hibition and Temperance, Rules, Forestry and Con- servation. TAYLOR, JAMES ALFRED. (Democrat.) Address: Fayetteville, West Va. Born in Lawrence county, Ohio, September 25, 1878; educated in the public schools, occupation, newspaper editor and printer; has devoted practically his entire life to the newspaper business, principally in Ohio and West Virginia; married and resides at Fayetteville, West Virginia; elected to the Legislature of 1916, as one of the representatives from Fayette county; during the 1917 sessions had the following committee assignments: Printing and Contingent Expenses (Chair- man); Medicine and Sanitation, Arts, Sciences and General Improvements and Military Affairs. TAYLOR, COLUMBUS W. (Republican.) Address: Hurricane, West Va. A member of the House of Dele- gates from Putnam county. Born near Hurricane, Decem- ber 25, 1855; educated in the public schools; was the first town sergeant of Hurricane, holding the position for a number of years; later was appointed Mayor, holding that position for a considerable length of time; at present is engaged in the mercantile business and at farming; was elected to the Legislature in 1916, and during the sessions of 1917 was assigned to and served on the following committees: Elections and Privileges, Executive Offices and Library, and Insurance. pg. 750 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES TERRILL, FRANK WATKINS. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Wayne, West Va. Born August 4, 1857, at Orange, Virginia; educated in the public schools of Virginia; occupation, telegraph operator; member of the town council of Wayne and Justice of the Peace. Mr. Terrill is not without legislative experience, having served in the sessions of 1911 and 1913; was again elected in 1916 as one of the members from Wayne county and served through the regular and special sessions of 1917, having the following committee assignments: Taxation and Finance, Railroads, Penitentiary and Federal Relations. TWYMAN, BENJAMIN RYMER. (Republican.) Address: Cairo, West Va. Born in Tyler county March 15, 1860; educated in the public schools and the Fairmont State Normal; was President of the Board of Education of his home district and Postmaster at Cairo from 1901 until 1910; is at present engaged in farming and the mercantile business, but is chiefly interested in scientific farming; was elected to the Legislature from Ritchie county in 1916; during the sessions of 1917 had the following committee assignments: Counties, Districts and Municipal Corporations, Insurance, Military Affairs. WALDRON, ROBERT FLOYD. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Welch, West Va. One of the members from McDowell county. Born at Welch, West Virginia, February 21, 1892; educated in the public schools and in the Concord State Normal, at Athens; since leaving school has been successfully engaged in several lines of business, but at present is making a specialty of pharma- ceutical work at Welch; was elected a member of the House of Delegates in 1916; in 1917 served on the fol- lowing standing committee: State Boundaries, Arts, Science and General Improvements. Executive Offices and Library. WEIR, JAMES WESTON. (Democrat.) Present Address: Charleston, West Va. Was elected as one of the members of the House from Randolph county in 1914, and served in the session of 1915; was re-elected in 1916, and at the regular session of 1917 was made Chairman on the part of the House of the Committee on Passed and Enrolled Bills. He also served on the committees on Taxation and Finance, Medicine and Sanitation, Railroads, Printing and Con- tingent Expenses and the Penitentiary. At the opening of the Extraordinary Session on May 14, 1914, Mr. Weir resigned as a member of the House, having accepted the position of Private Secretary to Governor John J. Cornwell. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES pg. 751 WEISS, HARRY A. (Republican.) Address: Wheel- ing, West Va. One of the delegates from Ohio county. Born in the town of Benwood, Marshall county, April 23 1884; attended the public schools of Wheeling until he was fourteen years old, when he was compelled to re- linquish the opportunities for obtaining a further educa- tion and go to work in the mills. Mr. Weiss is a sheet iron rougher by occupation and resides in the city of Wheeling. He was elected to the House of Delegates in 1912; re- elected in 1914; re-elected in 1916; committee assign- ments 1917: Labor, Executive Offices and Library, Penitentiary. WELLS, P. FOSTER. (Democrat.) Address: New England, West Va. One of the members of the Legisla- ture from Wood county. Born at Belleville, Virginia (now West Virginia), August 21, 1847; educated in the com- mon schools and in the National Normal University, of Lebanon, Ohio; has been a constable, justice of the peace and county surveyor; is at present engaged in fanning and surveying; was elected as a member of the House of Delegates in 1916; in 1917 served on the following com- mittees: Immigration and Agriculture, Humane Institu- tions, Federal Relations. WERNER, HARRY RUPERT. (Republican.) Ad- dress: Thomas, West Va. Member of the Legislature from Tucker county. Born March 10, 1881, at Eglon, Preston county; educated in the public schools and in Cincinnati, Ohio, medical schools, taking courses in the Eclectic Medical College and post graduate work at the Polyclinic Hospital and College for Graduates in Medicine member of city council for two terms; President of City Board of Health for ten years, and member of County Board of Health; elected to the Legislature in 1916; in 1917 served on the committees on Medicine and Sani- tation (Chairman); Mines and Mining, Private Cor- porations and Joint Stock Companies, Penitentiary. WHITAKER, N. PRICE. (Republican.) Address: Wheeling, West Va. Born in Cecil county, Maryland; educated in the public schools of Lawrenceville, N. J., and at Cornell University. Since coming to West Virginia, Mr. Whitaker has been largely identified with the steel manufacturing business and has met with marked success. He is also prominently connected with other business enterprises. He was elected as one of the members of the House of Delegates from Ohio county in 1916; during the 1917 sessions had the following committee assignments: Taxation and Finance, Railroads, Forestry and Conser- vation. pg. 752 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES WILSON, PAT M. (Democrat.) Address: Beech Hill, West Va. One of the members of the Legislature from Mason county. Born in Kanawha county March 17, 1879; educated in the public schools; is at present en- gaged in farming, being one of the most practical farmers in the state, as regards the application of improved farm- ing methods; served as chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee of Mason county; elected as a member of the House of Delegates in 1916; in 1917 had the following committee assignments: Game and Fish (Chairman); Immigration and Agriculture, Mines and Mining, Roads, and the Penitentiary. WYSONG, A. F. (Republican.) Address: Princeton, West Va. One of the members of the Legislature from Mercer county. Born January 13, 1881, at Newport, Virginia; educated in the public schools of Giles county, Virginia, and in the schools of Dayton, Ohio; received his professional education—that of an architect—at Dayton; is engaged in general architectural work at Princeton; elected as a member of the House of Delegates in 1916; he received the following committee assignments during the sessions of 1917: Taxation and Finance, Medicine and Sanitation, Game and Fish. YEAGER, BROWN McLAUREN. (Democrat.) Ad- dress: Marlinton, West Va. Delegate from Pocahontas county. Born October 8, 1848, near Travelers Repose, Virginia (now West Virginia); educated in the common free schools of that day, which afforded but limited oppor- tunities; is a surveyor and dealer in real estate; has held the office of County Surveyor of Pocahontas County and has also served as Commissioner of School Lands; elected to the House of Delegates in 1914; re-elected in 1916; in 1917 served on committees on Game and Fish, Insur- ance, Labor, Penitentiary and the Virginia Debt.